In 2014/2015, the Greenwich Department of Health Laboratory tested a total of 724 ticks and other insects. Of the 465 deer ticks tested in the laboratory, 23% were found to be positive for Lyme disease, 3% were positive for Babesiosis and 1% was positive for both Borrelia and Babesiosis.

According to the CDC, Lyme disease patients are most likely to have illness onset in June, July or August. “This makes a lot of sense,” commented the Department of Health’s Director of Laboratory Douglas Serafin, “the months of April and May begins the nymph lifecycle of the ‘deer tick’ which carries the bacterium that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) and the protozoan organism, Babesia microtithat causes babesiosis. The nymphal stage tick is very tiny and can easily go unnoticed on the skin. Nymphs are also more active from June through August which is why it important to apply personal protection measures.”

“The spring and summer months are especially important for awareness about Lyme disease since everyone is out planting and/or taking part in some kind of outdoor activities,” stated Caroline Calderone Baisley, Director of Health. “By applying a few simple precautionary measures like checking for ticks on the body every day and using insect repellant, everyone can still enjoy the warm weather and decrease their chances of becoming infected.”

Children and adolescents are at a higher risk for getting Lyme disease because they spend more time in areas where they might suffer a tick bite. “When Lyme disease is misdiagnosed and goes untreated in children, it has a profound, devastating impact on a child’s well being,” explained Caroline Calderone Baisley, “so it is imperative to know the signs and symptoms of this disease. Other tickborne diseases such as babesiosis can also carry the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. It is equally important to know what can be done to minimize your risk.”

The symptoms of Lyme disease include:

* Rash - an expanding red rash usually at the site of the tick bite, but can occur in other locations on the body. Not all cases exhibit a rash.

* Fever and/or chills

* Fatigue

* Muscle, bone and joint pain

* Transient, migrating arthritis

* Stiff neck

* Headache

* Bell’s palsy or other cranial nerve neuritis

* Secondary rash

In an effort to raise awareness of this important health problem, the Greenwich Department of Health Laboratory will continue to serve the public by testing ticks for the bacterium that causes Lyme disease and the protozoan organism that causes Babesiosis.

“Although a tick may test positive, it does not necessarily mean that you will get Lyme disease,” stated Lab Director Doug Serafin. “Like any other screening tool, the process for testing ticks has a small margin of error and, specifically for this disease, the tick must be attached for a period of time in order to increase a person’s risk. An engorged positive tick is much more likely to pass on the infected bacterium or protozoan organism than those ticks that are not engorged.”

The cost of tick testing is $65.00 (until June 30, 2016), which includes identifying the bacterium that causes Lyme disease and the protozoan organism that causes Babesiosis. Results are normally available within 10 days. The Greenwich Department of Health Lab can be reached at 203-622-7843 for more information about tick testing. For additional information on Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases, visit the Greenwich Department of Health or log on to the Department of Health webpage at www.greenwichct.org and click “Brochures & Print Material” for the Ticks and Lyme disease link or visit the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health website at www.ct.gov/dph/ticks.